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Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference

Democratic societies face a barrage of influence operations from foreign state actors that threaten election integrity, national security and individual rights. ISD is a world leader in identifying, analysing, exposing and combating Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), identifying networks of pro-Kremlin, pro-Chinese and pro-Iranian influence that is manipulative in character and conducted in an intentional and coordinated manner. Actors of such activity can be state or non-state actors, including their proxies inside and outside of their own territory.  

May 27, 2026

All operations on Armenia: Russia’s influence machine targets the vote

Multiple Russian information operations are converging on Armenia in an apparent attempt to influence parliamentary elections on 7 June

Democratic Integrity, Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference, Information Warfare and Online Manipulation

April 23, 2026

Iran’s diplomats launch a meme war

Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference, Information Warfare and Online Manipulation

April 15, 2026

How pro-Iran networks gained a billion views on war propaganda

Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference, Information Warfare and Online Manipulation

April 2, 2026

Foreign actors and foreign influence: An exploratory analysis of international state actors targeting Ireland in 2025

Coordinated Inauthentic Behaviour, Data Access and Transparency, Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference

March 31, 2026

Irish unity, Palestine and Soleimani: Analysis of an Iranian information operation targeting Ireland

Coordinated Inauthentic Behaviour, Data Access and Transparency, Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference

March 14, 2026

Iran floods global social media with AI content during ongoing conflict

Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference

March 9, 2026

ISD investigation exposes sophistication of Russian interference in EU and beyond

Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference, Information Warfare and Online Manipulation

March 7, 2026

AI floods the Iran conflict narrative with misinformation and state influence

Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference, Information Warfare and Online Manipulation

March 5, 2026

A “narrative war” unfolds online after US-Israel strikes on Iran

Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference, Information Warfare and Online Manipulation

Further Reading

February 27, 2026

Axis of amplification: Regime media, proxies and Western supporters respond to Iranian protests

This Dispatch summarises responses to the protests by state and non-state supporters of the regime between 28 December 2025 and 17 January 2026.

Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference

February 12, 2026

Kremlin talking points flood X amid ICC case on child deportations

ISD found 150K+ X posts justifying Russia’s child deportations, fueled by false trafficking claims and a Feb 2026 Epstein-linked surge.

Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference, Information Warfare and Online Manipulation

February 12, 2026

No time to lose: Liberal democracies can win the cognitive and hybrid war against authoritarians

Authoritarian regimes will never stop their hybrid warfare, but democracies must make major changes if they are to counter their adversaries.

Democratic Integrity, Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference, Information Warfare and Online Manipulation

January 27, 2026

Hostile state responses to US action in Venezuela

ISD analysts found that Russia, China, and Iran used state-funded media to criticize the US Maduro operation.

Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference

December 22, 2025

The revival of Russian covert operations in Mexico

In recent years, Russian clandestine activities against the US in Mexico have increased—a trend reminiscent of the Cold War years. 

Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference

November 18, 2025

Link by link: Hundreds of webpages cite pro-Russia Pravda network

ISD has built a free browser extension to help individuals recognise Pravda network sites, which hundreds of media outlets still treat as credible.

Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference

October 30, 2025

From Bucharest to Prague: The spread of the ‘Romanian Scenario’ conspiracy theory in Czechia’s elections

The 'Romanian scenario' conspiracy resurfaced in Czechia ahead of the 2025 elections.

Democratic Integrity, Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference

October 27, 2025

Investigation | Talking points: When chatbots surface Russian state media

As chatbots rival search engines as the go-to source, their vulnerability to state propaganda poses new risks for information integrity.

Emerging Technologies, Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference, Information Warfare and Online Manipulation

September 12, 2025

Czechia: Election Risk Assessment | FIMI Response Team Report

This report analyses the threats to the 2025 election, detailing malign tactics undermining democracy.

Democratic Integrity, Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference

August 27, 2025

Investigation | Pro-Kremlin influencers target audiences in the Alliance of Sahel States

After Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger quit ECOWAS, it seems they may have pivoted toward Russia

Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference, Information Warfare and Online Manipulation

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